Compare Karpenisi And Lake Plastira MTB Tour by Travelncycle.com vs Secret Cyclades: Hiking Holidays in Kythnos island by Trails Beyond
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| Trip |
5 | Excellent
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5 | Excellent
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| Duration | 7 days | 5 days |
| Price From | $ 1,284 | $ 630 |
| Price Per Day | $ 183 | $ 126 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | Group tour | Group tour |
| Lodging Level | Premium | Premium |
| Physical Level |
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| Travel Themes |
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| Countries Visited | ||
| Cities and Attractions |
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| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | Ground transport included |
| Activities |
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| Meals Included | N/A |
4 Breakfasts, 1 Lunch and 2 Dinners |
| Description |
The first days will be in Karpenisi, an area almost entirely formed of mountains that has a lot to offer to an explorer. Rich forests, mountains, plateaus and valleys. Karpenisi, is one of the least populated regional units in Greece and a well known destination that offers unforgettable moments to any visitor. The last days of the tour we will move to Lake Plastira. An artificial lake located at an altitude of 800m in Central Greece and is characterized as one of the most easily accessible destinations of the country. The scenery is breathtaking, as the lake is surrounded by high leafy mountains and the area is considered to be a “paradise” for all nature lovers and mountain bikers. |
Would you like to explore one of the renowned Greek islands, but you wish to avoid the tourist masses? The secluded island of Kythnos is your perfect choice! Although it is one of the first islands to be reached by ferry from Athens, the island of Kythnos has remained an unexplored paradise, a truly gem of the Cyclades islands. Traditional villages with Cycladic architecture, a superb coastline with more than 90 beaches, a significant history dating back to the Mesolithic era, agricultural fields, hot springs, numerous hiking trails, one of the largest caves in Greece and the delicious local cuisine will undoubtedly offer you the best authentic active holidays on a Greek island. If you are looking for tranquility, simplicity and authenticity, yet at the same time you wish to combine your summer holidays with some walking, hiking and interesting cultural encounters, this is the right exploration for you! Plus, you can combine it with a visit to the surrounding Cyclades islands or as an ideal getaway from your stay in Athens. Located at the West Cyclades, Kythnos is easily accessible by ferry either from the port of Piraeus (3 hours) or from Lavrio (1:40 hours). You can decide on your departure port depending on your holiday’s schedule. What we can assure you of is that you will enjoy a truly authentic, active and fun vacation! |
Day 1: Arrival at Athens - Transfer to Central Greece
Arrival at Athens International Airport. Meeting and assist with travelncycle.com’s representative. Departure to Karpenisi in Central Greece. Duration of the trip is about 4 hours (305 km). Check-in at the hotel. Dinner – Overnight.
Day 2: MTB ride
Breakfast at our hotel. Check at the bikes and beginning of our MTB tour of the day which will be at an area located south and southwest of our base. We start pedaling from our hotel towards the mountain overlooking it. After a few quite easy kilometers we meet some challenging up hills and soon after we will find ourselves cycling in the forest which surrounds the area, heading for the village Myriki across Karpenisi. A small break to regroup and we continue the ride towards Agioi Theodori. The whole tour remains in high altitude and the scenery is fantastic. Return to the hotel. Dinner – Overnight
Day 3: MTB ride
Breakfast at our hotel and then beginning of the second day’s MTB tour. Starting from our hotel we ride along Karpenisiotis river until we reach ”Megalo Chorio” village, at a distance of 17 km. From there, heading east, we start cycling into deep forest under the shade of tall pine and fir trees towards the village Sygkrello. On our side we will have Kaliakouda mountain, which is the highest mountain in the whole area with an altitude of 2111m. After Sygkrello we begin our return to Karpenisi to end the tour. Dinner – Overnight.
Day 4: Karpenisi - Lake Plastira - MTB ride
Breakfast and check – out of the hotel to move to our next cycling destination. That will be Lake Plastira at a distance of 132km from Karpenisi. We settle in our hotel where we will spend the next days. Soon after we grab our gear to start our MTB tour of the day. Starting from our hotel we will head north towards the villages ”Kerasia” and ”Anthochori”. At the borders of the next village, ”Kryopigi” we will turn west to find ourselves into deep forest of pine trees. Some challenging up hills on the way but the landscape rewards us with fantastic pictures. This route is a very good opportunity to admire the scenery of the area and also to adjust ourselves in the terrain of the area. Return to our hotel. Dinner – Overnight.
Day 5: MTB ride
Breakfast and beginning our MTB tour of the day. Today’s highlight is the lake Plastira itself. We are going to ride around the lake all the way using paved and dirt roads. We start from our hotel on paved roads until we reach the dam, that created the lake and holds all these tons of water, at a distance of 17km. After ”Moucha” village we are going to use coast to coast dirt and paved roads until we reach ”Agios Athanasios”. We continue the ride into dirt roads surrounding by rich forest with the lake accompanying us. The last kilometers we will cycle literally next to the lake front until we return to our hotel. Dinner – Overnight.
Day 6: MTB ride
Breakfast and beginning our the MTB tour of the day. We will load our gear on the vehicle and drive for about 18 kilometers until we reach the village ”Moucha”. We start our tour heading south deep into the forest until we reach the village ”Anthiro”. From there we will start to ascend for a few kilometers as we ride to ”Kedros” point which is one of the best places to have a panoramic view of the lake. Soon after the necessary pictures and a break we will start our decent towards the dam. We load our bikes in the vehicle and we return in our hotel. Dinner – Overnight.
Day 7: Transfer to Athens - Departure
Check-out from our hotel and we are getting ready for the trip back to Athens and the airport for our flight back home. Departure.
Day 1: Athens – Kythnos
Meals: Dinner
Traditional Guesthouse
On the first day, you will take the ferry either from Piraeus or from Lavrio port and within 3:10 or 1:40 hours respectively you will reach the beautiful island of Kythnos.
After check in at your hotel, you will have the day free* to relax by the sea or stroll around the village’s narrow alleys and shops! In the evening, you will enjoy a welcome dinner with your tour leader and your fellow travel companions, having a first taste of the local cuisine and discussing the program of the coming days.
*The program of this day is free of activities, since we don’t know your exact arrival time (depending on the ferry schedule). We can, however, organize a hike or other activities, if you arrive early in the morning.
Day 2: Hiking to Vryokastro – Apokrousi – Kolona
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Total Hike Duration: 3 hours / 4-5 hours incl. stops | Total Distance: ≈ 5.5 - 6.5 km
Our hiking trail today will takes us to the island’s ancient capital, Vryokastro, and then to the probably most stunning beach of the island, Kolona! A short hike up will take us to the hill of Vryokastro, a currently abandoned archaeological site and one of the most important prehistoric settlements in the Aegean. Archaeological research has brought to light findings dating back to the Mesolithic Age. According to the findings and underwater excavations, that town was constantly inhabited from the 10th century B.C. to the 6th century A.D.
Afterwards, we’ll descend to the white sandy beach of Apokrousi, where we’ll make a stop to relax and swim. Next comes one of the island’s highlights, the unique beach of Kolona. It is actually a strip of sand joining Kythnos with the islet of Agios Loukas, creating a landscape of unparallel beauty! Once there, you can enjoy swimming and snorkeling, as well as lunch at the only tavern on the beach (if open) or snack lunch.
You will later be transferred back to your hotel.
Traditional Guesthouse
Day 3: Hiking Loutra – Castle of Oria, the Thermal Springs & Pottery lesson
Meals: Breakfast
Total Hike Duration: 3 - 4 hours / 4.5 hours incl. stops | Total Distance: 8-10 km
Traditional Guesthouse
Today’s breathtaking hike will offer you amazing views and authentic encounters with the island’s history! After breakfast, you will be transferred to the north part of the island and specifically to the village of Loutra, a popular stop over for sailing yachts. Once there, we will follow an ascending path in order to reach the striking Castle of Oria, located on a steep hill at the northernmost tip of the island. This fortified acropolis that overlooks the Aegean Sea was the capital of the island during the Byzantine times and the Latin occupation; but it seems that it had already been inhabited since prehistoric times. 100 chapels flourished there during the Venetian Rule, of which only two still stand today.
You will have time to relax, enjoy the panoramic views and take some wonderful photos, before we return back to Loutra from the same path. You will have the afternoon free to relax at the Thermal Springs of Loutra, known for their therapeutic qualities. You can also enjoy your lunch and/or coffee in one of the seaside restaurants/cafes.
Later on, a short hiking trail will take us from Loutra to Chora, the island’s capital. Chora is a fine example of traditional Cycladic architecture, with white-washed houses, stone-paved mule paths and arcades which will drive you to endless walks in narrow alleys ending to small squares and churches. Once in Chora, you will also enjoy a pottery lesson* by a local artisan in Chora and you will have the chance to create your own pottery clay!
Early in the evening, you will be transferred back to your hotel.
*The pottery lesson is available until the end of September.
Day 4: Hiking Dryopida – Kanala, cave exploration & cooking class
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Total Hike Duration: 2.5 hours / 4 hours incl. stops | Total Distance: 6.5 - 7 km
Traditional Guesthouse
Enjoy a good breakfast today, as we will explore hiking the best of Central and Southeast part of the island! You will be transferred to Dryopida village, one of the most picturesque and traditional settlements of Kythnos. Once there, we will follow a hiking trail that will soon take us to the peaceful beach of Kalo Livadi, decked with a small church on a rock. A large beach with stone slabs, pebbles and golden sand, as well as big and very old cedars create the ideal setting for a stop and of course sunbathing and swimming in the summer. The sound of the waves will be most probably the only sound you will hear in this pristine scenery. Behind the few houses that make up the small settlement, a fertile little meadow spreads out planted with fig trees, vineyards and a few groves that gave its name to the homonymous settlement.
Our next and last stop of today’s hike is the well known coastal village of Kanala that took its name after the monastery of Panagia Kanala, dedicated to Virgin Mary. Here you will also find the only pine forest in the island. The monastery hosts the miraculous icon of Our Lady which, according to tradition, was found by fishermen floating in the narrow channel between Kythnos and Serifos and is said to have healing powers. Once our hike is completed, you will be transferred back to Dryopida village, where another surprise is waiting for you! Get ready to explore Katafiki cave, one of the largest caves in Greece, most of which remains unexplored to date. Located at the edge of Dryopida village, at an altitude of 190 meters above sea level, the cave maintains a constant temperature of 17 degrees and is considered to cover an area of 3.500 sq.m.
Once we explore this hidden gem, you will participate in a cooking class and learn how to prepare some traditional local delicacies, such as “sfougata”, Greek salad, “tzatziki” and much more!
Day 5: Departures – Kythnos to Athens
Meals: Breakfast
Today you are free to enjoy your last morning on the island the way you wish, before boarding the ferry back to Athens (or other nearby islands).
Depends on your schedule
